Touchless fluid supply interface and apparatus

ABSTRACT

The fluid supply apparatus supplies and controls one or more fluids while adjusting/controlling one or more continuously parameters; and includes an outlet, at least one control valve and a touchless user control interface. For example a faucet has sensors mounted thereon to control water flow ( 6 ) and temperature ( 16, 17 ). For example a user hand in field ( 16 ) will increase temperature over time and decrease in field ( 17 ). The on/off sensor field may include the water stream, a bi-colour light emitting diode indicates temperature, temperature feedback means maintains the desired temperature, a battery or super capacitor allows operation or fluid shut off if power fails, an anti-tamper feature requires the fluid to be shut off if more than one sensor is covered and a time prevents waster wastage. The hygienic touchless interface may be in a tile or flat plate. Other applications may include panel mounted fluid control systems for controlling a plurality of fluid types and associated parameters.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fluid supply apparatus and/orinterface which provides for touchless control of the apparatus. Inparticular, it relates to a fluid supply apparatus and/or interfacewhich provides for touchless control of the temperature of the fluidsupplied. Further in particular, it relates to a fluid supply apparatusand/or interface which provides for touchless control of the temperatureand also the on/off status of the fluid supply.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A common application of fluid supply apparatus is with wash basins. Manywash basins include a single faucet spout through which water issupplied at a desired temperature. The water is turned on and off andthe temperature of the water varied, typically, by way of one or morevalves with one or more handles, spindles or levers. One disadvantagewith these types of wash basin water supplies is that the user must makephysical contact with the handle, spindle or lever. In applicationswhere a high level of sterilisation or hygiene is required, this contactmay be disadvantageous as the handles may not be sterile. This type ofarrangement may also be disadvantageous where the user has a physicalimpairment which makes manipulation of the handle, spindle, or leverdifficult.

One attempt at overcoming some of the problems associated withconventional faucet arrangements is to have large levers which may bemanipulated by the elbows of a user. However, this still requires somecontact between the user and the levers.

Another attempt at overcoming the above-mentioned disadvantages is toprovide controls for the fluid supply that are manipulated by a foot ofthe user. Typically, these only allow for on/off control of the fluid.Also, the feet of users may be less adept at manipulating controls thanthe hands of users.

Another disadvantage of conventional faucet arrangements is that thewater supply may be left running after the user has left. This mayresult in water being wasted. One attempt to overcome this is to havefaucet controls which are depressed to allow water to be supplied andwhich slowly return to a non-depressed position to cut the water supplyafter a given interval. Typically, these require contact between theuser and the faucet controls.

Such difficulties are also encountered in situations where the fluidoutlet is located remotely or is distant from the controlling means. Forexample, the outlet may be close to the floor, above the users head (asin a shower) or located quite some distance from the users controllocation. In situations such as these, it may still be important for auser to be able to control the fluid flow within the hygene or otherconstraints discussed above.

One attempt at overcoming some of the above disadvantages is a “variabletemperature electronic water supply system” which is disclosed in theUnited States Patent Specification numbered U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,950.This water supply system includes a touchless infrared sensor whichdetects the presence of hands purely for the purpose of switching thewater supply on or off. The water supply system also includes a touchpad interface on top of a water spout to allow the user to varytemperature. Temperature may only be varied by choosing one of a numberof predetermined ratios of hot and cold water.

The water supply system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,950 suffers thefollowing limitations. Firstly, the user cannot vary temperature withoutmaking physical contact with the spout. This contact may be unhygienicor not sufficiently sterile for some purposes. Secondly, the temperaturemay only be varied between coarse predetermined settings. Fineadjustment of the temperature by the user is not provided for. Also, thepredetermined temperature settings correspond to predetermined mixing ofhot and cold water supplies, the temperatures and pressures of which maybe adjusted to regulate the temperature at the coarse settings.Adjustment of the temperature itself and the regulation of temperatureat any given setting is not provided for. Thirdly, the particular systemof arranging for mixing of the hot and cold water supplies may berelatively cumbersome, particularly with regard to the quantity ofmaterials needed.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fluidsupply system which allows for touchless variation of the temperature ofthe fluid supplied, or at least to provide the public with a usefulchoice.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided afluid supply apparatus suitable for supplying fluid, the fluid supplyapparatus including:

at least one fluid outlet assembly from which the fluid may emerge;

at least one fluid control valve which allows variable control of thetemperature of the fluid supply;

at least one touchless control user interface adapted to receivetouchless control instructions from a user, wherein the Touchlesscontrol instructions may very the temperature of the fluid supply;

at least three touchless sensors mounted on said fluid outlet assembly,each said sensor adapted to sense an object in a respective sensingfield;

wherein at least one of said touchless sensors enables the switching onand off of the fluid supply;

wherein at least one other of said touchless sensors enables thetemperature of said fluid supply to increase;

wherein at the temperature of said fluid supply to decrease.

In an alternative aspect, the present invention provides for astand-alone fluid control interface adapted to receive touchless controlinstructions from a user.

Preferably the stand-alone fluid control interface is mounted in a wallplate, tile or the like.

Preferably the stand-alone fluid control interface is constructed in theform of a tile, the tile may be shaped and dimensioned so as to becapable of mounting in a wall mounted location.

Preferably, the touchless control instructions may also turn the fluidsupply on or off.

Preferably, the touchless control user interface includes a plurality oftouchless sensors each adapted to sense an object in a respectivesensing field.

Preferably, at least one of the sensors is adapted to transmit light andsense light reflected off an object positioned within a respectivesensing field.

Preferably, at least one of the sensors is disposed in the fluid outputassembly.

Optionally, at least one of the sensors is disposed at a location on thefaucet, the location selected so that it is easily accessible to a usershands when using the faucet, preferably, the sensors being locatedproximate a base of the faucet.

Alternatively, at least one of the sensors may be located remote fromthe fluid output assembly.

Preferably, the touchless sensor user interface includes at least threesensors disposed in the fluid output assembly.

Alternatively, the at least three sensors may be located remote from thefluid output assembly.

Preferably the touchless control user interface includes at least onesensor disposed such that the sensing field of that at least one sensorsubstantially contains a portion of a trajectory of fluid emerging fromthe fluid spout assembly.

Preferably, the touchless control, user interface includes sensorsdisposed to have sensing fields to either side of the fluid outputassembly.

Preferably, the sensors are disposed near an end of the fluid outputassembly.

Preferably, the fluid supply apparatus is arranged such that the supplyof fluid is switched on when an object is placed near the outlet of thefluid supply means and substantially in the trajectory of fluid thatemerges from the fluid supply means and, preferably, the supply of fluidis switched off otherwise.

Preferably the touchless control user interface is arranged such thatthe temperature of the fluid may be increased by placing an object toone side of the end of the fluid output assembly and the temperature maybe decreased by placing an object to another side of the end of thefluid output assembly.

Preferably, the touchless control, user interface includes a firstcontroller which monitors the sensors and determines an on/off statusand also a desired fluid temperature.

Preferably, the first controller is disposed in the fluid outputassembly.

Preferably, the fluid supply apparatus includes a second controllerwhich controls the fluid control valve according to information relatingto the desired temperature and/or the on/off status.

Preferably, the fluid supply apparatus is adapted to use temperaturefeedback to maintain the fluid temperature substantially at the desiredtemperature.

Preferably, the fluid supply system includes a timer which provides adelay for the cessation of the fluid supply after the removal of anyobject from the sensing path of any of the sensors.

Preferably, the fluid supply apparatus is arranged such that no fluid issupplied if one or more of the sensors is covered so as to render itinoperable.

Preferably, the fluid supply apparatus includes a battery backup.

Preferably, the fluid supply apparatus includes a user display includingat least two light sources in at least two different colours, whereinthe brightness of each diode, as perceived by the human eye, may bevaried individually to provide a range of colours, as perceived by thehuman eye, to represent different temperatures of the fluid.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda fluid supply apparatus for supplying fluid with at least one givenparameter which is variable, the fluid supply apparatus including:

at least one control, user interface adapted to receive controllinginstructions from a user;

at least one fluid control valve which allows variable control of the oreach given parameter,

wherein the control, user interface determines a desired value of the oreach given parameter and an on/off status for the supply of fluid andthe or each fluid control valve receives a signal from the control, userinterface, the signal containing information on the desired value of theor each given parameter and the on/off status and provides a fluidsupply at the desired value of the or each given parameter inconjunction with an on status.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda basin and faucet arrangement, including a fluid supply apparatus asdescribed in any one of the preceding paragraphs.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a showerand/or bath arrangement, include a fluid supply apparatus as describedin any one of the preceding paragraphs.

Preferably, in the case of the shower and/or bath arrangement, thetouchless control assembly is mounted in a wall plate, tile or the like.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda fluid supply apparatus substantially as herein described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example only andwith reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1: shows a cut-away side elevation of a spout assembly of a fluidsupply apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2: shows a side view of a spout assembly associated with a fluidsupply apparatus in accordance with the present invention showing theon/off sensing field;

FIG. 3: shows a top view of a spout assembly in accordance with thepresent invention showing the temperature control sensing fields;

FIG. 4: schematically shows the operation of the fluid supply apparatus;

FIG. 5: illustrates an embodiment of a stand-alone touchless fluidcontrol interface; and

FIG. 6: illustrates a faucet with sensors located in alternativepositions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the fluid supply apparatus 1 is schematicallyshown in FIG. 1. The fluid supply apparatus 1 includes a Spout, oroutlet, assembly 2 having a spout housing 3, fluid duct 4 and fluidoutlet member 5. The fluid supply apparatus 1 also includes on/offtouchless sensors 6 and two sets of temperature control touchlesssensors 7 and 8 and a sensor control circuit board 9. A wide range ofsuitable touchless sensors will be apparent to those skilled in the artand any of these may be used with this invention

A preferred embodiment of this invention uses infrared sensors whichinclude a diode to transmit infrared light and a corresponding diode toreceive light which is being transmitted and reflected off an object. Awide range of suitable circuitry and placement and housing of thecircuitry will be apparent to those skilled in the art and these mayalso be applied to this invention.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a U-shapedcircuit board 9, which is fitted into the end of the spout housing 3. Inthe preferred embodiment, the sensors are mounted directly onto thecircuit board 9 The spout housing 3 may be provided with a removable cap10 to allow insertion and removal of the circuit board 9. An alternativearrangement of sensors 18 shown in FIG. 6 whereby sensors 71, 72 and 73are located at positions on the faucet body which are selected to beparticularly accessible to a users hands when the faucet. Here sensor 71is one of the temperature adjusting sensors, 72 the on/off sensor and 73the bi-color light emitting diode which emits light ranging from theblue (cold) to red (hot).

The fluid supply apparatus may also include a mounting member 11 tofacilitate the mounting of the spout to a wash basin, wall or similar.Any suitable mounting member 11 known to those skilled in the art may beapplied to this invention.

A thermostatic valve 12 supplies fluid to the spout assembly 2 and, inturn, is supplied with, preferably, two fluids of differing temperature.It is to be appreciated that temperature is merely an example of aparameter which may be associated with supply fluids. A wide range ofalternative parameters will be apparent to those skilled in the art, andmay, for example, include pH level, viscosity, or concentration of agiven chemical reagent.

A preferred embodiment of this invention requires that the thermostaticvalve is able to switch the supply of fluid on or off and also vary thetemperature, for example, by varying the ratio of the hot and cold fluidsupplies, 13 and 14 respectively.

Preferably, the thermostatic valve includes temperature feedback tofacilitate maintenance of a given temperature in the event offluctuations in the temperature or pressure of the fluid supplies 13 and14.

A suitable thermostatic valve for use in this invention is disclosed inthe patent specification accompanying PCT Patent ApplicationPCT/NZ97/00168. The disclosure of this specification is hereinincorporated in the present specification.

Close-up views of the spout assembly 3 are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thesefigures show typical sensing fields of the sensors which collectivelyform part of a touchless control user interface. An alternativeembodiment of a touchless control interface in the form of a stand-aloneinterface untit will be described in detail below. The on/off sensingfield 15 may, typically, be arranged to include a region underneath thefluid outlet 5 in which the user may place their hands for washing.Preferably, this region would encompass part of the trajectory ofsupplied fluid emerging from the fluid outlet 5. Field 16 may,typically, be arranged to include a region to one side of the end of thespout assembly 3, and field 17 a region to the right of the spouthousing 3.

A user of a preferred embodiment of the fluid supply apparatus may placetheir hands under the fluid outlet 5, and, therefore, in the on/offsensing field 15, to switch on the fluid supply. By placing a hand infield 16, for example, the user may cause the temperature to increaseover time. The temperature may be decreased over time by placing a handin the other field 17, for example. Therefore, the user may giveinstructions for on/off and temperature control of the fluid supplyapparatus by placing their hand(s) in the sensing fields for givendurations.

A cut-away top view of the end of the fluid supply assembly 2 is shownin FIG. 3. The sensor circuit board 9 complete with sensors 7 and 8 isformed in a U-shape so that it may fit around the fluid supply outlet 5.Of course other shapes of circuit board may be suitable for differentfaucet assemblies. This allows the sensors 7 and 8 to be positioned nearthe end of the fluid supply housing 3 while being attached to the sensorcircuit board 9.

The operation of a preferred embodiment of the fluid supply apparatus isschematically shown in FIG. 4. The sensor interface circuit 20 receivessignals from the on/off sensor 6 and the temperature variation sensors 7and 8. From the on/off sensor 6, the sensor interface circuit determinesan on/off status and a corresponding on/off status signal code torepresent that status.

From the sensors 7 or 8, the sensor controller circuit 20 determineswhether objects are in the respective sensing fields 16 and 17 and forhow long and determines a desired temperature and a correspondingtemperature status signal code.

The signal codes corresponding to on/off status and desired temperaturestatus signal code are communicated to the thermostatic valve controllercircuit 23. The thermostatic valve controller circuit controls the servomixing valve 24 to be on or off and to output fluid at the desiredtemperature communicated to the thermostatic valve controller by way ofthe desired temperature status signal code. The temperature of the fluidat the output of the servo mixing valve 24 is monitored by thethermostatic valve controller 25 by way of a temperature sensor 25 inthe fluid flow. This temperature feedback allows the thermostatic valvecontroller to adjust the servo mixing valve 24 so that the temperatureof fluid at the output of the thermostatic valve is maintained at thedesired temperature as communicated to the thermostatic valve controllerby way of the desired temperature status signal code.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that according to thepreferred embodiment, the thermostatic valve 12 merely receives signalcodes to determine the on off status and temperature desired and that itthen outputs fluid, when required, at the desired temperature. Thesensor interface circuit 20, in association sensors 6, 7 and 8, acts todetermine a desired temperature and on/off status and communicates it tothe thermostatic valve 12. Therefore, it will be clear that a number ofdifferent types of sensor interface circuit 20, perhaps corresponding todifferent types of sensors, may be used with the same type ofthermostatic valve 12. If, for example, inductive or capacitive sensors,or even buttons are to be used, a suitable sensor interface circuit canbe used with the same thermostatic valve 12.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that if desired, thethermostatic valve controller 23 and sensor interface circuit 20 may beincorporated into one single controller if desired.

The preferred embodiment preferably includes a power back up such as abattery, super capacitor, or the like, so that the fluid supply may beclosed in the event of a power cut. Although, the power back up mayallow normal operation for a while before the fluid is shut off.

The preferred embodiment may default to the fluid supply being switchedoff to avoid of fluid being wasted. It may also be set to switch thefluid supply off after a given time interval provided by a timer whichis, preferably, included in the sensor interface sensor 20.

Additionally, the fluid supply apparatus 1 may include an anti-tamperfeature which provides that the fluid supply is switched off in theevent that one or more of the sensors 6, 7, or 8 are covered. In thiscase, the fluid supply may be ceased until the sensors are uncovered.

The preferred embodiment of the fluid supply apparatus 1 includes adisplay to give temperature related feedback to the user. This ispreferably in the form of coloured light emitting diodes LEDs, forexample red and blue. The LEDs can be used to give a range of colourssuch as red, blue and shades of purple to represent temperature such ashot, cold and various intermediate temperatures. The colours may bevaried by varying the intensity of light from each of the LEDs. This istypically done by supplying a pulse width modulated current to each ofthe LEDs. Typically, the current to one LED is off when the current tothe other is on. For example, if purple light which is predominantlyblue is required, an on current which switches off for a brief period ata given frequency is provided for the blue LED. During these off times,a brief current pulse is provided for the red LED. Provided thefrequency of the on or off pulses is high enough, the human eye will notdetect any flicker. Both LEDs may be incorporated into one unit 19.

The present invention allows convenient and touch free operation of afluid supply system, such as a mixing faucet. This touchless controlallows a high level of hygiene for use of the apparatus.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention allows convenientmanufacture of fluid supply apparatus for a range of differentapplications. Although the fluid outlet is, in the preferred embodiment,combined into a single unit with the interface, in an alternativeembodiment the fluid outlet part may not be physically part of thecontrol interface. Convenient manufacturing of the combined units isfacilitated by the valve control operation being separated from thesensor control operations. A separate controller is used to operate thesensors and determine a required temperature and on/off status, whereasthe thermostatic valve includes another controller which receives thatinformation and controls the valve to provide fluid at the desiredtemperature when required. This thermostatic valve may be used inconjunction with a range of different types of sensor controllersadapted for different types of sensors.

An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 5, astand-alone fluid control interface is shown. In this embodiment, thefluid outlet is not physically connected to the interface. Here, thefluid control interface is adapted to be mounted in a wall plate, tileor the like. Of course the interface may be shaped to fit the desiredmounting location. Such a location could even include a bath lip, cornerfitting or wall mount.

An application for this embodiment may be where the actual fluid outletis to be positioned remotely or distantly from the users controlinterface. Such a situation might be in a shower and/or bath where it isdesirable that the control interface be located on the wall of theshower enclosure, while the outlet is located above the user.

The stand-alone interface described in this embodiment may havesubstantially the same functionality (apart from incorporating the fluidoutlet)as the integrated unit described in the context of the faucet.Referring to FIG. 5, a wall plate or tile 50 has located thereon sensors52, 54 and 53. Indicia 55 and 56 are coloured blue and red respectivelyand indicate the effect of activating the corresponding sensors will be.For example, adjusting the water temperature by way of interacting withthe sensors 54 on the left of the interface increases or decreases thecold water flow—the indicia 55 being coloured blue appropriately.

The stand-alone interface may include a temperature readout 51. This ispreferably digital. However, other iconic or indicator-like readouts maybe used. Sensors 53 switch the fluid flow off and on and sensors 54 and52 operate as described elsewhere in this specification.

It is envisaged that the stand-alone embodiment provides particularutility in situations where a wall-mounted controller is required. Sucha control interface is not necessarily tied to, or built into the actualfluid outlet as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4. Although the primeapplication of this embodiment is in shower and/or bath situations, itis envisaged that this embodiment may be used in remote fluid control.For example, in control panel arrays in process control applicationswhere a number of different fluids and fluid characteristics may beadjusted/monitored.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention also provides a simpledisplay to provide feedback on the temperature of fluid that is or isabout to be supplied by the fluid supply apparatus.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention also allows precise,touchless user control of water temperature, or any other variableparameter of a given fluid, and allows the temperature to be maintainedirrespective of fluctuations in the pressure or temperature of the watersupply to the thermostatic valve, due to the inclusion of temperaturefeedback.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention conveniently allowsfor predetermined operation of the fluid supply apparatus, such asanti-tamper timers and such like.

Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specificcomponents or integers of the invention having known equivalents, thensuch equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and withreference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood thatmodifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A touchless, temperature control faucetincluding: at least one fluid outlet assembly from which the fluidemerges; at least one fluid control valve which allows variable controlof the temperature of the emerging fluid based on temperature feedbackby a temperature signal from a temperature sensor arranged downstream ofthe fluid control valve; at least one touchless control user interfaceadapted to receive touchless control instructions from a user, whereinthe touchless control instructions varies the temperature of theemerging fluid; at least three touchless sensors mounted on said fluidoutlet assembly, each said sensor adapted to sense an object in arespective sensing field; wherein at least one of said touchless sensorsenables the switching on and off of the emerging fluid; wherein at leastone other of said touchless sensors enables the temperature of saidemerging fluid to increase; wherein at least one other of said touchlesssensors enables the temperature of said emerging fluid to decrease. 2.The faucet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said touchless control userinterface and said touchless sensors operate independently of thedistance of the object in a respective sensing field.
 3. The faucet asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one fluid control valvecomprises a thermostatic valve.
 4. The faucet as claimed in claim 1which includes at least two fluid inlets and wherein the at least onefluid control valve is a temperature control valve which mixes varyingratios of fluids from said at least two fluid inlets.
 5. The faucet asclaimed in claim 1 which includes a user display including at least twovisual indicators for showing a direction of fluid temperatureadjustment.
 6. The faucet as claimed in claim 5 wherein the firstcontroller is disposed in the fluid outlet assembly.
 7. The faucet asclaimed in claim 1 which includes a second controller which controls thefluid control valve according to information relating to the desiredtemperature and/or the on/off status.
 8. The faucet as claimed in claim1 wherein at least one of the sensors is adapted to transmit light andsense light reflected off an object positioned within a respectivesensing field.
 9. The faucet as claimed in claim 1 wherein the touchlesscontrol user interface includes at least one sensor disposed such thatthe sensing field of that at least one sensor substantially contains aportion of a trajectory of fluid emerging from the fluid outletassembly.
 10. The faucet as claimed in claim 1 wherein the touchlesscontrol user interface includes sensors disposed to have sensing fieldsto either side of the fluid outlet assembly.
 11. The faucet as claimedin claim 1 wherein the sensors are disposed near an end of the fluidoutlet assembly.
 12. The faucet as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluidoutlet assembly includes a faucet, wherein at least one of the sensorsis disposed at a location on the faucet, the location selected so thatit is accessible to a user's hands when the user uses the faucet the atleast one sensor being located proximate a base of the faucet.
 13. Thefaucet as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid supply apparatus isarranged such that the supply of fluid is switched on when an object isplaced near the outlet of the faucet, substantially in the trajectory offluid that emerges from the fluid supply means, and the supply of fluidis switched off otherwise.
 14. The faucet as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe touchless control user interface is adapted so that the temperatureof the fluid may be increased by placing an object to one side of theend of the faucet and the temperature may be decreased by placing anobject to another side of the faucet.
 15. The faucet as claimed in claim7 wherein the touchless control user interface includes a firstcontroller which monitors the sensors and determines an on/off statusand also a desired fluid temperature.
 16. The faucet as claimed in claim1 which uses the temperature feedback to maintain the fluid temperaturesubstantially at the desired temperature.
 17. The faucet as claimed inclaim 1 which includes a timer which provides a delay for the cessationof the fluid supply after the removal of any object from the sensingpath of any of the sensors.
 18. The faucet as claimed in claim 1 whicharranged such that no fluid is supplied if one or more of the sensors iscovered so as to render it inoperable.
 19. The faucet as claimed inclaim 1 which includes a battery backup.
 20. The faucet as claimed inclaim 1 which includes a user display including at least two visualindicators in at least two different colors, wherein the brightness ofeach indicator, as perceived by the human eye, may be variedindividually to provide a range of colors, as perceived by the humaneye, to represent different temperatures of the fluid.
 21. The faucet asclaimed in claim 20 wherein said visual indicators are light sourceindicators.
 22. The faucet as claimed in claim 21 wherein said lightsource indicators are LEDs.
 23. The faucet as claimed in claim 1including hot and cold temperature control sensors disposed to eitherside of a substantially central on/off sensor area.
 24. The faucet asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the sensors are adapted so that the supply offluid is switched on when an object is temporarily placed near thesubstantial central on/off sensor area and the supply of fluid issubsequently switched off when an object is placed near the on/offsensor area.